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Webmaster
May 16, 08 - 10:15 AM |
Kansas State Fairboard to Look at Racetracks Future
http://www.hutchnews.com/Todaystop/fair2008-05-15T21-48-59 Racetrack Fair board members are still debating whether to revive auto racing at the fair by shortening the racetrack. The fair, which has lost money on the fair-time races for several years, decided after last year's fair to stop the sport for at least this year to study the issue. The Hutchinson Nationals, usually held in July, will continue as planned. At consideration is whether to shorten the half-mile dirt track to a 3/8-mile track in an effort to boost the number of racers and attendance. Fair officials let bids on the track earlier this year to shorten the north end of the track. The lowest bid came in at $40,000. Two other bidders predicted the cost at more than $100,000. The Nationals has a longstanding tradition that has drawn people from all corners of the state for a stop on the National Championship Racing Association racing series. And for years, many flocked to the fair's annual racing event. But these days, there's a change of attitude around the half-mile track. Attendance is down as more people find other activities in which to participate. Racers, meanwhile, say they tear up their vehicles more on a longer track, and they're just hobby drivers who don't have the deep pockets of full-time participants, said C. Ray Hall, who runs 81 Speedway in Wichita. He also said racing at Hutchinson is boring to watch because it's harder for drivers to pass. Hutchinson racer Scott Lehman said he didn't think the sport of racing was at a crossroads. Instead, he saw bright potential if fair officials invested in the track. "We have in Hutchinson one of the nicest facilities for a dirt track that I've ever been on," he said. "But we need to get the track in the same condition." Now the question, according to Fair Board member Dave Kerr, is whether racing "is vital to the importance of the fair." They tabled action until the July meeting, with some questioning whether the low bidder could do the work for $40,000. Meanwhile, Warren Hardy, also with 81 Speedway, said his estimates show the racetrack should celebrate its 100th year of racing in 2010. He'd like to see that happen. |
RCAR
May 16th, 2008 - 10:07 PM |
Re: Kansas State Fairboard to Look at Racetracks Future
Every race track in the country is having to re-study the business. The price of oil has changed the economics for us all, Racers and promoters alike. Promoters will have to work harder to survive. The half mile has alot of history but a shorter track is a lot easier on the race cars. Surely that job could be done for less than $40 grand by someone that likes racing. |
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Webmaster
May 16th, 2008 - 10:37 PM |
Re: Kansas State Fairboard to Look at Racetracks Future
My point of posting the piece was the very good possibility of losing a very big piece of Kansas Racing History. It doesn't take much for a board to look at the losing money a thte fair races every year, and the the fact it only gets used once a year for the Nationals as a reason to turn the space to a more revenue friendly facilities at the Fairgrounds, ie more midway/exhibitor/vendor space that bring in more revenue. |
Wiggy
 May 17th, 2008 - 7:36 AM |
Re: Kansas State Fairboard to Look at Racetracks Future
Yes the track is junk now days and pretty boring, but I sure as hell hope it doesn't close, this is a HUGE part of racing history in Kansas. The problem with not attracting a crowd is the prices. You pay 5-10 to get into the fair (can't remember how much) and then again pay $8 to get into the races. That's around $15 to watch 2 classes of 10-20 cars each, that just doesn't cut it. Plus it's really boring. Take the OKC approach. Convert it into a 3/8 mile, add some banking, and we got ourselves something new that could be racy. $40k to reshape it? That's really pretty low I think, surely the fairboard can afford $40k to reshape the whole dirt track when they spend 5 times as much on new buildings every year. This would be a money maker I think, there's plenty of people that would come back if the track were different. With its current configuration I know of tons of drivers that shudder when they here "Hutch Nationals" because you can't pass anyone and you tear your stuff up. /end of rant 
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RCAR
May 17th, 2008 - 9:17 PM |
Re: Kansas State Fairboard to Look at Racetracks Future
They need a promoter that could promote 3 or 4 events a year that does not have a conflict of interest by running other races at other tracks. The 3/8 idea would probably be a plus. Surely the county has the equipment and operators to do the dirt work for little to nothn' except I'm sure the fuel bill to run the heavy machines wouldn't be little to nothn' these days. |
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Jeremy
May 18th, 2008 - 12:17 AM |
Re: Kansas State Fairboard to Look at Racetracks Future
I think they should make it a 3/8. Those 1/2 miles are hard on your equipment. Thats just my opinion. Thanks. LETS GO RACIN!! |
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